Collapsible partitions for cartons and the like



April 10,

Filed Nov.

1956 R. T. Rossum COLLAPSIBLE PARTITIONS FOR cARToNs AND THE: LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY.

April 10, 1956 R. T. Rossum 2,74L417 COLLAPSBLE PARTITIONS FOR CARTONS AND THE LIKE Filed NOV. 18, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3o mi' 72 86 United States Patent gwn COLLAPSIBLE PARTITINS FOR CARTONS AND THE LIKE Robert T. Rossum, New York, N. Y., assignor to Continental Folding Paper Box Co., Inc., Ridgeeld, J., a corporation of New York Y Application November 1s, 1952, sensi No. 321,205

s claims. (ci. 229-42) The present invention relates to partitions for cartons, boxes and the like, and is particularly directed to cellu lar partitions for insertion in cartons, boxes and the like to divide the interior of such containers into numerous separated compartments which may each aecommodate and individually protect a fragile article, such as, for example, a glass ampule, vial, bottle or jar, an elec tric light bulb, a plastic or metal tube for toothpaste and cut cardboard stock or, if formed of a single piece of cardboard stock, the resultant partition structure defined only a limited number of separated compartments. It is apparent that the provision of a partition structure formed of a single piece of suitably cut and folded cardboard stock and defining a relatively large number of separated compartments within the carton or box in which it is installed will reduce the amount of labor and time required for producing the partition structure and for erecting that structure within the carton or box and thereby constitute a substantial economy in. the packaging industry.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a partition structure for erection in a carton or box to define a relatively large number of separated compartments, `and wherein such partition vstructure is formed of a single sheet of suitably cut, scored, folded and glued cardboard stock.

Another object is to provide a partition structure of the described character formed of a single piece of cardboard sheet stock and, when erected, defining ten separated compartments each adapted to'accommodate and protect anv individual fragile article.

Another object is to provide a method of forming and erecting a partition structure defining a relatively large number of separated compartments wherein Ythe entire partition structure is formed from a single piece of cardboard sheet stock merely by cutting, scoring, folding and gluing said piece of isheet stock in a hereinafter described manner.

Still another object is to provide a partition structure having the described characteristics and wherein all parts and portions of the single piece of cardboard sheet stock from which the partition structure is formed are employedI in defining the relatively large number of separated compartments of the erected partition structure.

'A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of simultaneously producing any number of partitionstructures in the form of flattened, separately connected assemblies all formed from a single piece of cut, scored, folded and glued cardboard sheet stock, with ice each ofthese flattened assemblies, when separated from the others and erected, defining a relatively large number of compartments.

.A still further objet is to provide a flattened member which may be easily shipped or stored and includes a large number of separably connected assemblies, each constituting a partition structure for separation from the others and erection alone to define a relatively large number of separated compartments.

In accordance with the present invention, the above objects, and other objects, features and advantages appearing hereinafter, are achieved by perforating a rec` tangular piece of cardboard sheet stock along a series of parallel, spaced apart lateral lines to define contiguous portions each of which is to form a partition structure. Longitudinal score lines are then formed adjacent to the opposite side edges of the rectangular sheet, and the space between these longitudinal score lines is divided into a relatively wide central zone and three relatively narrow zones at each side of theI central wide zone by six parallel and suitably spaced apart longitudinal score lines. The sheet is then cut along pairs of lateral lines in each of said contiguous portions extending from the middle of each outermost narrow zone to the middle of the next adjacent narrow zone and from the middle of each innermost narrow zone an equal distance into the central wide zone. Longitudinal score lines connect the inner and outer adjacent ends of each of the inner pairs of said cut lines and the inner adjacent ends of.each of the outer pairs of said cut lines. Between the outer ad'- jacent ends of said outer pairs of cut lines, substantially U-shaped cut lines are formed to define rectangular or rounded tabs with short longitudinal score linesy con,- necting the ends of the U-shaped cut lines to the adjacent outer ends of said outer pairs of lateral c ut lines. Having cut and scored or perforated the rectangular sheet as above, adhesive is applied to the opposite edge portions thereof and the sheet is folded along the longitudinal score lines extending between the inner and outer pairs of lateral cut lines with one of the edge portions being adhesively secured to the central wide zone and the other edge portion being adhesively secured to said one edge portion. The resultant of these operations is `a attened member having two layers secured together at the longitudinal fold lines defining the edges thereof and along the center. In erecting a partition structure, a portion of the flattened member is separated from the remainder thereof by tearing along a lateral line'of perforations. The separated portion is erected by spreading apart the two layers thereof at each side ofj the secured together center while urging together the parts between the pairs' of lateral cut lines. When the spread apart' portions of the vtwo layers at opposite sides .0f the center have attained rectangular configurations, the urged together parts between the pairs of lateral cut lines exif tend across such rectangular configurations to divide eaclj of the latter into four separated compartments, and the tabs meet in the space between the spread apart portions to divide that space vinto two more separated compartj ments, so that the erected partition structure defines ten separated compartments for the reception of fragile articles in a'box or carton.

In order that the present invention may -be clearly n nderstood, "an illustrative embodiment thereof is d esribed in detail below and shown in the accompanying draw# ings which form a part hereof, and wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view of a vportion of a clit, scored, perforated and glued blank from which partition- 'structures embodying the present invention are formed,` and which is the' result of initial steps or operations included o in the method in accordance with this invention;y

Fig. 2 is'a plan view of a blank of the' kindtshownin Fig. `1 after said blank has been folded; z f

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the folded blank of Fig. 2 after 'said portion has been separated from the remainder of the folded blank;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the folded blank portion of Fig. 3, shown on an enlarged scale, is erected to form a partition structure;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of an erected partition structure; and

Fig. 6 is a view showing the erected partition structure installed in a carton or box as seen through the open top of the carton or box.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to Fig. l thereof, a single sheet -or blank 10 of cardboard stock of suitable rigidity is provided. The sheet 10 has Va length which is determined only by the height of each partition structure and by the number of partition structures that are to be formed simultaneously. Laterally extending and spaced apart lines of perforations 12 are formed in the sheet 10, with the distance between the successive lines 12 being equal to the height of the partition structure being formed. The blank or sheet 10 has longitudinally extending score lines 14 and 16 adjacentY the opposite side edges thereof, and adhesive is applied to the edge portions 18 and 20 disposed between the score lines 14 and 16 and the adjacent side edges, respectively. Further, six longitudinally extending score lines 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 are formed on the blank or sheet 10; with the longitudinal score lines 26 and 28 defining a relatively wide central zone 34 therebetween, and with the longitudinal score lines 14 and 22, 22 and 24, and 24 and 26 defining three relatively narrow zones 36, 38 and 40 therebetween, respectively, at one side of the central zone 34, and the longitudinal score lines 28 and 30, 30 and 32, and 32 and 16 defining three other relatively narrow zones 42, 44 and 46 therebetween, respectively, at the other side of the central zone 34. In accordance with the present invention, the longitudinal score lines 14, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 16 are spaced relative to each other by distances giving the narrow zones 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 the same lateral dimensions or widths and the central zone 34 a width or lat eral dimension equal to substantially two and one-half (2l/) times the width or lateral dimension of any one of the relatively narrow zones.

The laterally extending, spaced apart lines of perforations 12 define separable blank portions 48 therebetween, and each of the blank portions 48 is adapted, in ac cordance with the present invention, to form a partition structure when it is further scored, cut and folded and then erected in the manner hereinafter described in detail. Each blank portion 48 is cut along pairs of relatively short, spaced apart and laterally extending lines. Specifically, as seen in Fig. l, each blank portion 48 is cut along a pair of spaced apart lateral lines 50 and S2 extending substantially from the center of narrow zone 36 to the center of the next adjacent narrow zone 38', along a pair of spaced apart lateral lines 54 and 56 extending ksubstantially from the center of narrow zone 40 an equal distance into the wide central zone 34; along a pair of spaced apart lateral lines 58 and 60 extending substantially from the center of narrow zone 42 an equal distance into the wide central zone 34; and along a pair of spaced apart lateral lines 62 and 64 extending substantially from the center of narrow zone 46. Each blank portion 48 is further cut along substantially U-shaped lines, as at 6.6 and 68, which Vare disposed between and outwardly with respect to the outer ends of the pairs of lateral cut lines 50 and 52, and 62 and 64, respectively. The U-shaped cut lines 66 and 68 respectively define tabs 70 and 72,V for a purpose hereinafter indicated, and these tabs may be rectangular or rounded, as in the case of the tabs 70a and 72a on Fig. l.

The blank 10 is completed by scoring along relatively short, longitudinal lines 74 which connect the adjacent inner and outer ends of the pairs of lateral cut lines 54 and 56, and 58 and 60. Scored lines 76 are also provided connecting the inner adjacent ends of the pairs of lateral cut lines 5t) and 52, and 62 and 64. Finally, short longitudinal score lines 78 connect the ends of the U-shaped cut lines 66 and 68 to the adjacent outer ends of the lateral cut lines 50 and 52,k and 62 and 64, respectively. It is apparent that all of the above described scored, perforated and cut lines may be formed simultaneously in a single stamping operation, and this procedure is preferably followed in order to ensure economy in the production of the blank and to guarantee the desired positional relationship of the several lines. After the several lines have been formed as above, the adhesive may be applied to the edge portions 18 and 20 in a Well known manner.

After the blank 10 has been formed in the manner indicated above, the portions thereof disposed outwardly of the longitudinal score lines 24 and 30 are folded inwardly toward each other about the score lines 24 and 30, and the edge portion 18 -is adhesively secured to the central part of the wide zone 34 while the edge portion 22.0v overlies the edge portion 18 and is adhesively secured to the latter, as shown in Fig. 2. The folded and glued blank 10 then provides a attened assembly of separable portions which can be easily and conveniently shipped from the manufacturer to the packaging plant for use and which can be easily stored at such plant without requiring any large storage space. For example, the blanks 10 may be formed so as to include fifty portions 48 each of which is adapted'to form a partition structure defining a relatively large number of compartments when it is erected in the manner now to be described.

In erecting a partition structure for installationl in a carton or box, one of the folded and glued blank portions 48 is separated from the other portions 48 by tearing along the perforated lines 12. The separated portion 48 (Fig. 3) consists of two layers of cardboard which are ioined together at the end edges defined by fold or score lines 24 and 30 and also at the center by the adhesive on the edge portions 18 and 20. 'I'he outer portions of the separated portion 48 are then swung upwardly, Yas ndicated by the arrows A on Fig. 4, so that the sections or zones 36 and 40 swing parallel to each other about hinge lines defined by the score lines 14 and 26, respectively, and the sections or zones 42 and 46 swing parallel to each other about hinge lines dened by the score lines 28 and 16, respectively. During such swinging movement of the sections or zones 36, 40, 42 and 46, the sections or zones 38 and 44 remain parallel to the zone or section 34 and move away from the latter. As the sections or zones 36, 40, 42 and 46 swing in the manner indicated, the parts of the blank portions disposed between the pairs of cut lines 50 and'52, 54 and 56, 58 and 60, and 62 and 64, which parts are identified by the reference numerals 80, 82, 84 and 86, respectively, are pressed inwardly at the centers to fold about the scored lines extending across the centers, as indicated in Fig. 4, so that the parts 80, 82, 84 and 86 become angular when viewed along the edges thereof. That is, as the sections or zones 36, 40, 42 and 46 swing toward positions at right angles to the section or zone 34, the parts 80 and 82 are bent toward each other into the quadrilateral space defined between the sections 36, 38, 40 and a portion of section 34, and the parts 84 and 86 are similarly bent toward each other into the quadrilateral space defined by the sections 42, 44, 46 and a portion of the section 34. Since the score lines 78 ldo not extend lacross the tabs 70 and 72, the latter remain co-planar with respect to the contiguous areas of the parts 80 and 86, respectively, during the erection of the separated portion 48, as shown in Fig.v 4.

When the sections 36, 40, 42 and 46-are disposed at right angles to the section 34, the tabs 70 and 72 abut edgewise against each other, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6,

in the space dened between the now parallel'sections 36 and 46, and the partition structure is in its erected condition.Y As seen in Fig. 6, thc erected partition structure defines ten separated compartments. Specifically, a compartment 88 is defined by portions of the sections 38 and 40 and portions of the parts 80 and 82; a compartment 90 is defined by portions of the sections 34 and 40 and the part 82; aV compartment 92 is defined by portions of the sections 36 and 38 and the part 80; a compartment 94 is deiined by portions of the sections 34 and 36 and portions of the parts 80 and 82; compartments 96 and 9S are dened between the sections 36 and 46 and separated from each other by the abutting tabs 70 and 72; a compartment 100 is defined by portions of the sections 44 and 46 and the part 86; a compartment 102 is dened by portions of the sections 34 and 46 and portions of the parts 84 and 86; a compartment 104 is dened by portions of the sections 42 and 44 and portions of the parts 84 and 86; and a compartment 106 is defined by portions of sections 34 and 42 and the part 84.

' As seen in Fig. 6, the erected partition structure may be installed in a carton or box 108 having hinged iaps 110 and 112 and a flap cover 114, and the compartments 88 to 106, inclusive, may then accommodate individual fragile articles of the kind previously indicated to protect such articles during the shipment thereof.

From the drawings and the above description it is apparent that each erected partition structure is formed of a single piece of cardboad sheet stock of elongated configuration, for example, the portion 48 of the blank illustrated in Fig. l, and includes two quadrilateral members which are laterally spaced apart and secured to each other by integral parts at one side of the space between the quadrilateral members, for example, the portions 18 and 20 and the part of section 34 to which these portions are adhesively secured. Further, each quadrilateral member is formed with two diagonally related corner cutouts, and the material included in each of the corner cutouts is bent inwardly toward the diagonally related cutout of the respective quadrilateral member to provide two angled partitions within each quadrilateral member which divide the latter into four separated compartments. Finally, the walls of the quadrilateral members confronting the space therebetween are each formed with a U-shaped cutout which deiines a tab integral with one of the angles partitions of the related quadrilateral member and extending across said space between the members to abut edgewise against the tab of the other quadrilateral member and thereby divide the space between the members into two additional separated compartments so that the erected partition structure contains ten separated compartments for accommodating fragile articles.

From the foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of this invention it is apparent that a method has been devised for producing a partition structure dening a relatively large number of separated compartments and which is formed from a single piece of suitably cut, scored, perforated and glued cardboard sheet stock, and that, in accordance with the invention, an indeterminate number of partition structures may be simultaneously produced and separably joined in at form for convenience in shipment and storage. Further, if relatively long articles are to be accommodated in the compartments of an erected partition structure, more than one portion 48 may be simultaneously removed from the folded and glued blank of Fig. 2, so that the partition structure, when erected in the manner previously indicated, has a height equal to the combined widths of the simultaneously removed blank portions 48. It will also be appreciated that, since a partition of one-piece construction having a relatively large number of separated compartments is provided by the present invention, the labor involved in producing that structure and in erecting the same and installing it within a carton or box is reduced to a minimum. Finally, it will 6 be seen that the partition structureis erected merely by unfolding or expanding the same in the above prescribed manner and automatically retains its erected condition when installed in a box or carton as in Fig. 6.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, Vit is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that precise construction and that various changes and modications may be eected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A partition structure for installation in a box or car'- tcn; comprising a pair of quadrilateral members formed `from a single piece of cardboard sheet stock, said members being spaced laterally apart by a distance substantially equal to one-half the lateral dimension of each of said members and including integral parts spanning one end of the space therebetween to join said members to each other, each of said members having two diagonally opposed corner cutouts with the material of said corner cutouts being bent inwardly to provide two angled parti-` tions within each member and to divide the interior of the latter into four separated compartments, each of said partitions including two angularly related arms, and tabs extending from the sides of said members confronting the space between the latter and being adjoined extensions of the material of the corner cutouts extending into said confronting sides, said tabs being co-planar with the contiguous arm of the related angled partition and abutting edgewise within said space between the members to separate said space into two equal areas so that said partition structure, when installed in a box, delines ten separated compartments within the latter each adapted to receive a fragile article.

2. A partition structure for installation in a box or carton; said structure being formed of a single piece of cardboard sheet stock and comprising a relatively long side section, end sections extending at right angles from the opposite ends ot said long side section, relatively short side sections extending from said end sections parallel to said long side section and overlying the latter, parallel inner sections extending from said short side sections at right angles to the latter and in the direction toward said long side section and spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to half the length of each of said short side sections, means securing said inner sections to the central portion of said long side section, said long side section, end sections, short side sections and inner sections defining two spaced apart rectangular spaces, two right angled partition elements extending into each of said rectangular spaces to form cross-shaped partitions in the latter and thereby divide each of said rectangular spaces into four separated compartments, one of said two partition elements being integral at its opposite ends with the related short side section and inner section and the other of said two partition elements being integral at its opposite ends with the related end section and said long side section, and a tab extending from each of said inner sections into the space between the latter and being an adjoined extension of, and co-planar with the adjacent end of said one partition element, said tabs abutting edgewise in said space between the inner sections to divide the last mentioned space into two segregated equal areas so that the partition structure, when installed in a box, defines with the latter, ten separated compartments of the same cross-sectional area for individually receiving a fragile article.

3. A attened structure for providing partition assemblies in cartons or boxes; said structure comprising two superposed, rectangular layers, said layers being joined together at the opposite longitudinal edges and along the longitudinal medial line thereof, laterally extending and spaced apart lines of perforations formed in both of said layers so that the latter constitute longitudinally separable portions each of which is adapted to form a partition assembly, score lines extending along said opposite longi- 7 tudinal edges to permit relative angular movementv of said layers, one of said layers having four additional longitudinal score lines spaced apart to divide said one layer into five zones with vthe central one of said zones extending at opposite sides of said longitudinal medial line where said one layer is joined to said other layer and having a width equal to substantially one-half the width of each of the other four of said zones, the other of said layers having two longitudinal score lines aligned with the outermost of said four longitudinal score lines of Said one layer, each of said separable portions having two pairs of spaced apart lateral cut lines formed in each of said two layers thereof, each pair of said lateral cut lines being centered on one of said outermost longitudinal score lines and having a length substantially equal to the width of one of said four other zones, longitudinal score lines connecting the adjacent inner and outer ends of each of said pairs of cut lines in said other layer, longitudinal score lines connecting the adjacent outer ends of each of said pairs of cut lines in said one layer, laterally disposed U-shaped 8 f i cut lines between the adjacent inner ends vof said pairs of lateral cut lines in said one layer, and longitudinal score lines connecting the ends of said U-shaped cut lines to the adjacent inner ends of said pairs of lateral cut lines in said one layer so that the material bounded by each of said U-shaped cut lines constitutes an adjoined extension of the material between the related pair of lateral cut lines in said one layer. v

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Y 812,002 Bisler Feb. 6, 1906 814,069 Naylor Mar. 6, 1906 1,636,508 Goodyear July 19, 1927 2,368,753 Elliott et al. Feb. 6, 1945 2,433,676 Ringler Dec. 30, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Apr. 21, 1944 

